Improvement in the manufacture of flexible gas-tubing



G.L.BURNHAM.

Manufa-ctucture of Flexible Gas-Tubing.

No. 133,560. Pmmd Dec.3,1872.

WITNESSES- INVENTDR.

AM PHOTO HT/MERAPH/C [LU/J (@YEORNES PROCESS) TATES ATEN'I enonen L.BURNHAM, or rnovrnnnon, RHODE ISLAND.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. i33.560, dated December3, 1872.

' To all whom it may concern:

.of the city and county of Providence, in the State of lthode Island,have invented a certain Improvement in Flexible Gas-Tubing, of which thefollowing is a specification:

In the accompanying drawing like letters indicate like parts.

Figure 1 shows my flexible tubing with the stem covering. Fig. 2 is asection of the same, showing the several layers. Fig. 3 is a perspectiveview of the kelp-stem. Fig. 4 shows my flexible tubing with the leafcovering.

The purpose of my invention is to construct a flexible tube, suitablefor conveying illuminating and other gases without leakage.

This object has heretofore been accomplished by woven tubes coated withvarious preparations or covered with animal in p e stip e s orsimilartissues, or by other well-knowndvices more or less valuable.

My invention consists in the use andapplication of an entirely newmaterial for this purpose, which is much cheaper than materials now usedand is perfectly impervious to gases, y

The kelp, a common and well-known variety of sea-weed,.which is found inlarge quantities upon our sea-coasts,furn1shes a material, which, whenproperly prepared is available for the purpose above named.

This -marine plant has a hollow stem of great length and a long leaf,both of a tough and firm texture, and both (as I have discovered)valuable in the manufacture of tubing.

The plant requires curing in order that it may be kept moist andpliable. This I accomplish by soaking the stem in a mixture of glycerineand carbolic acid, in about equal quantities, and keeping it in saidmixture for a considerable length of time, until it becomes saturatedwith the composition. I prefer to continue this process for four days,though a less time may be sufficient. The glycerine entering into andfilling the pores of the plant,

makes it soft and yielding and keeps it in that condition, while thecarbolic acid shrivels and toughens the fiber and renders the texture ofthe plant more compact.

In curing the leaf I first soak it in fresh water, whereupon it can beeasily split into two' thin layers throughout its entire length. Thesestrips I afterward immerse in said mixture and cure in the same manneras the stem. The

kelp is then ready for use in the manufacture of the tubing.

My tube, as shown in the accompanying drawing, is constructed preciselyas gas-tub ing has been made heretofore. The spiral spring A is coveredby the woven fabric B, making the foundation of the tube and giving itstrength and sufficient stiffness. The kelp stem 0 is drawn upon thetube so formed, by sleeve-friction, incasing and firmly embracing thetube and rendering it perfectly impervious to gas. Over the whole arethen braided the covering 1) and the woolen finish E. The tube is thenproperly tipped and mounted and is ready for use.

If, instead of the stem, the kelp leaf is used it is wrapped about thetube A B, as shown in Fig. 4 at F, and covered by the braids D andE asaforesaid.

The overlapping leaf forms a joint perfectly gas-tight, and is kept innecessary contact with the first fold of the leaf by the pressure of thebraids which inclose it.

Although a single stem or layer of leaf is suflicient for the purposessought, other stems or layers may be drawn or wrapped upon them, as maybe desired. By this contrivance short pieces of the stem are available,and, by overlapping the ends, a perfect joint is formed; or in piecingthe stems one or more layers of the leaf will make the necessary joint.

The stem or leaf may be cured after it has been placed upon the tube;but in general the first-named method is preferable.

It is obviously within my invention if the tube so formed be used ashose or conductors of other fluids than gas, as also that othervarieties of marine plants or seaweed of similar fiber and texture maybeused instead of kelp.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isV 1. The method of curing kelp or other ma rine plants by means ofglycerine and carbolic acid, as andfor the purpose specified.

2. The use of kelp or other marine plants, in the manufacture offlexible tubing or conductors of illuminating or other gases or fluids,substantially as described.

' GEO. L. BURNHAM.

Witnesses H. H. RICHARDSON, BEN M. BosWoR'rH, J r.

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